Scientists Find That Interferons Induce Persistent Viral Infection

Editor's Comment: Type I interferons, also known as alpha and beta interferon, are upregulated during viral infections. It has long been thought that Type I interferons are powerful antiviral agents. However, this study reveals that Type I interferons actually perpetuate chronic viral infections by suppressing effective antiviral immune reponses. By blocking Type I interferons, the researchers found that although circulating virus was higher for the first few days of infection, it was cleared much faster, preventing the infection from becoming chronic. Dr. Paul Cheney observed many years ago that patients with CFS have high levels of alpha interferon. For a more in-depth discussion of this significant finding, please read the article in Science Daily.

Persistent LCMV Infection Is Controlled by Blockade of Type I Interferon Signaling

Compounding this is the Type II IFN, IFN-gamma.
IFN-gamma potentiates the type-I interferons but when it is persistently elevated itself it depolarizes the mitochondrial membrane causing energetics problems of the sort we see in many neuro-immune diseases, autism and ME/CFS included.